SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 285

Set 285 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: preeminence, gruel, clangor, perdition, spate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. preeminence · noun/priˈɛmɪnəns/

   the state of being superior to others in quality or importance

   Her preeminence in the field of neuroscience has earned her numerous awards and accolades.

   Synonyms: superiority, dominance, prominence

   Origin: from Latin 'praeeminentia', meaning 'standing out, superiority'

2. gruel · noun/ˈɡruː.əl/

   a thin porridge made by boiling oatmeal or other grains in water or milk

   After his long journey, he was grateful for a warm bowl of gruel to fill his stomach.

   Synonyms: porridge, broth, mush

   Origin: Middle English 'gruyle', from Old French 'gruau', from Latin 'grutum', meaning 'groats' or 'a coarse meal'.

3. clangor · noun/ˈklæŋɡər/

   a loud, harsh sound or noise

   The clangor of the church bells echoed through the quiet streets, signaling the start of the evening service.

   Synonyms: clang, clamor, racket

   Origin: from Latin 'clangorem', meaning 'a ringing sound or noise'

4. perdition · noun/pərˈdɪʃən/

   a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful person passes after death

   He feared that his reckless lifestyle would lead him to eternal perdition, a fate he dreaded more than death.

   Synonyms: hell, doom, damnation

   Origin: from Latin 'perditio', meaning 'destruction, loss', from 'perdere', meaning 'to destroy, to lose'.

5. spate · noun/speɪt/

   a large number of similar things occurring in a short period of time

   The recent spate of rain has caused flooding in several areas of the city.

   Synonyms: flurry, surge, outpouring

   Origin: Originally from Middle English 'spate', meaning 'a sudden flood', and derived from Old French 'espatier', meaning 'to spread out'.